title: One year follow-up of children and adolescents with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) treated with rituximab.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously showed in a prospective study that rituximab appears to be effective in some children and adolescents with severe chronic immune thrombocytopenia. Eleven of 36 patients achieved and maintained platelet counts over 50,000/mm(3) within the first 12 weeks. These patients were followed for the next year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Platelet counts were monitored monthly and all subsequent bleeding manifestations and need for further treatment was noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight of the 11 initial responders maintained a platelet count over 150,000/mm(3) without further treatment intervention. Three patients had a late relapse. One initial non-responder achieved a remission after 16 weeks, and two additional patients maintained platelet counts around 50,000/mm(3) without the need for further intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rituximab resulted in sustained efficacy with platelet counts of 50,000/mm(3) or higher in 11 of 36 patients (31%).
authors.affiliation: Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Brigitta U
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Carolyn M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Henry A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bussel
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Abshire
authors.forename: Theodore B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sawaf
authors.forename: Mignon L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: Zora R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Bertil E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Glader
authors.forename: Maggie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Donald H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Feig
authors.forename: Adonis N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Lorenzana
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Mentzer
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: Ellis J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Neufeld
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab